Billy Crystal - Biography - IMDb Billy Crystal Biography Showing all 51 items Jump to: Overview (4) | Mini Bio (1) | Spouse (1) | Trade Mark (1) | Trivia (38) | Personal Quotes (5) | Salary (1) Overview (4) 5' 7" (1.7 m) Mini Bio (1) Billy Crystal was born on March 14, 1948 in Long Beach, Long Island, New York. He is the youngest of three sons born to Helen (Gabler) and Jack Crystal. His father was a well-known concert promoter who co-founded Commodore Records and his mother was a homemaker. His family were Jewish immigrants from Russia, Austria, and Lithuania. With his father in the music business, Billy was no stranger to some of the top performers of the time. Legends such as Billie Holiday , Pee Wee Russell , and Eddie Condon regularly stopped by the Crystal household. At age 15, Billy faced a personal tragedy when his father died of a heart attack at the relatively young age of 54.

This gave Billy a real appreciation of what his dad was able to accomplish while alive and what his mother did to keep the family together. Despite this tragedy, Billy was very upbeat and likable as a kid. He had a unique talent for making people laugh. With television becoming a new medium, Billy got his influence from shows like The Honeymooners (1955), and "The Ed Sullivan Show" and performers like Alan King , Ernie Kovacs and Jonathan Winters . He started doing stand-up comedy at the age of 16. However, his real dream was to be a professional baseball player. His idol growing up was Yankees outfielder Mickey Mantle . He spent long hours in the summers playing softball in the middle of Park Avenue with his brothers and his father, a former pitcher at St. John's University . At Long Beach High, Billy played second base and was varsity captain in his senior year. This earned him a baseball scholarship from Marshall University in West Virginia which he accepted. However, he would never end up playing a game as the baseball program was suspended during his freshman year. This would lead him to leave the university and move back to New York. He then enrolled at nearby Nassau Community College, majoring in theater.

It was there that he met and fell in love with a dancer named Janice Goldfinger. They would get married in 1970 and have two daughters. Shortly after, Billy got accepted in New York University, where he majored in Film and TV Direction. While at NYU, he studied under legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese . He also worked as house manager and usher on a production of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown". After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts from NYU in 1970, Billy temporarily worked as a substitute teacher until he was able to get gigs as a stand-up comic. He formed his own improv group, 3's Company, and opened for musicians like Barry Manilow . His impression of Howard Cosell interviewing Muhammad Ali became a huge hit with the audience. He left Long Beach for Hollywood in August of 1976 in the hopes of trying to land a role on a television series. It only took a year before he got his big break when he was chosen for the role of gay character Jodie Dallas on the controversial ABC sitcom Soap (1977). This would be the first time that an American TV show would feature an openly gay character as a regular.

The show ran successfully for four seasons and helped to jump-start Billy's previously stagnant career. After Soap (1977) ended in 1981, Billy continued to do his stand-up routine, which was now attracting a larger audience with his growing celebrity status. During this time, he made many TV guest appearances and even hosted his own short-lived variety show, The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour (1982). He became a regular on Saturday Night Live (1975) in 1984 where his Fernando Lamas impression with the catchphrase "You Look Mahvellous" was a huge hit with viewers. This would lead to appearances in feature-length films such as Running Scared (1986) and Throw Momma from the Train (1987). In 1986, along with Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams , he started Comic Relief, an annual stand-up comedy show which helped to raise money for housing and medical care for the homeless. The show has since grown substantially with the continued support of all three comics. Billy's career would peak in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His roles in the blockbuster movies When Harry Met Sally...

(1989) and City Slickers (1991) helped to establish himself as one of Hollwood's top movie stars. This star status was further validated when he was chosen to host the annual Oscars in 1990, an honor in which he would repeat seven more times. He made his big screen directorial debut in the 1992 film Mr. Saturday Night (1992), which was about a washed-up stand-up comic who refuses to retire. He also wrote, produced and starred in the film. Although the film was not a huge hit, it proved that Billy was much more than an actor and comedian. In the following years, Billy continued to act in, produce, and direct several films. He had his share of hits ( Analyze This (1999), America's Sweethearts (2001)) and some flops ( Fathers' Day (1997), My Giant (1998)). His role in as a therapist to mobster Robert De Niro in Analyze This (1999) earned him critical praise.

In 2001, Billy parlayed his childhood love of baseball and Mickey Mantle into a feature film. The movie, 61* (2001), which premiered on HBO, centered on the relationship between Mantle and Roger Maris and their 1961 pursuit of Babe Ruth 's home run record. The film for which Billy served as director and executive producer, garnered 12 Emmy nominations in all. Offscreen, Billy remains married to Janice Crystal and they have homes in California and New York. Both of his daughters are involved in the film business. Jennifer Crystal Foley is an aspiring actress, appearing in 61* (2001), while Lindsay Crystal is an aspiring filmmaker, creating and directing the documentary My Uncle Berns (2003). - IMDb Mini Biography By: SteveG Spouse (1) ( 4 June 1970 - present) (2 children) Trade Mark (1) His act often has imitations of people from the 1930s-40s Trivia (38) Younger daughter, Lindsay Crystal , is a filmmaker.

His famous uncle, record producer Milton Gabler , founded Commodore Records and later Decca Records (which turned down The Beatles ), where he produced the Bill Haley hit "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock". He appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song "Voices That Care". Became a grandfather for the 1st time at age 55 when his daughter Jennifer Crystal Foley gave birth to a daughter, Ella Ryan Foley, on June 20, 2003. Attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia for his freshman year on a baseball scholarship but on his arrival was told freshman baseball was cancelled due to budget cuts. He did not return for the sophomore year choosing to attend community college before transferring to NYU. He was Jay Leno 's very first guest on May 25, 1992 when Jay took over the late night throne vacated by Johnny Carson on May 22, 1992. Is a partial owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and is a long time and huge fan of the New York Yankees. He is also a huge fan of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Was cast as Rob Reiner 's best friend in the All in the Family (1971) episode, All in the Family: New Year's Wedding (1976), and became his best friend in real life. Was introduced to wife by close friend, Steve Kohut. When he was a child, one of his babysitters was Billie Holiday . His father, Jack Crystal , was a concert promoter who also ran a famous record store on New York City's 42nd Street. Billy claims that his wife, Janice Crystal , was his first and only date. Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 124-126. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387 Attended and graduated from Long Beach High School in Long Beach, New York. Class of 1965 who voted him "Most Popular". In his role imitating real-life character Fernando Lamas , he hit #58 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1984 with the catchy and comedic "You Look Mahvelous" which featured Paul Shaffer on keyboards.

Wrote the children's book, "I Already Know I Love You", dedicated to Ella Ryan Foley, his granddaughter, with illustrations by Elizabeth Saylos. Auditioned for the role of Jack Tripper on Three's Company (1976) - the character of a straight man impersonating a gay man. Ironically, he went on to play the role of Jody Dallas on Soap (1977) - the first openly gay character on prime-time network television. Won a Special Theatrical Event Tony Award in 2005 for his one-man show, "700 Sundays", described as an "autobiographical journey". In November 2013, Crystal is set to bring the show back to Broadway. Is a huge fan of the Zach Braff sitcom Scrubs (2001), and donated a clip of When Harry Met Sally... (1989) for an episode. Considered for the role of Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray (2007), which went to Christopher Walken . Used to be the opening act for Sammy Davis Jr. . Good friends with Serbian NBA superstar Vlade Divac .

Recipient of the Kennedy Center's 2007 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. On March 12, 2008 as a 60th birthday gift, he signed a one day minor league contract with New York Yankees. On March 13, 2008, he played his only game with the Yanks vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates at DH wearing #60. In his first and only at bat, he made contact with a foul ball but struck out. He received a standing ovation. Just one day later, the Yanks officially released him. Is one of the few non-African Americans on Saturday Night Live (1975) to perform in a "blackface" routine, but in full make-up prosthetics and as a realistic, non-stereotypical character. Studied drama at HB Studio in Greenwich Village, New York City. Has appeared with David Paymer in four films: City Slickers (1991), Mr. Saturday Night (1992), City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold (1994) and In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994).

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on June 4, 1991. His paternal grandparents were Russian Jewish immigrants. His maternal grandfather was an Austrian Jewish immigrant, and his maternal grandmother was born in New York, to a Russian Jewish father and a Lithuanian Jewish mother (from Ariogala, Kaunas). He has two daughters with his wife, Janice: Jennifer Crystal Foley and Lindsay Crystal . He has two older brothers: Joel and Richard Crystal . Taught math, wood shop, and girls gym at Long Beach High School and in Long Beach, New York. Holds a BFA in television direction from New York University. He appeared in three films with Robin Williams : Hamlet (1996), Fathers' Day (1997) and Deconstructing Harry (1997). Was originally offered the role of Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story (1995) but he turned it down. After he watched the movie he said that turning down the role was the biggest mistake of his career. Personal Quotes (5) Women need a reason to have sex. Men just need a place.

In high school, I was the class comedian as opposed to the class clown. The difference is, the class clown is the guy who drops his pants at the football game, the class comedian is the guy who talked him into it. [on hosting the Academy Awards] Whatever your approach, the world is a rough room. And it's a big room. Not everybody is going to like what you have to say. But when you're up there, look like you want to be there. You're the captain of show business that night. That's your job. My first trip into the men's room at Yankee Stadium was when I was 8. Not being very tall, I was at eye level to a pretty horrible sight. They had these troughs. Everyone was standing over them. It was like all the horses in the lineup at the Kentucky Derby-like the wall would open and they'd all start running. It was awful. I couldn't pee in public restrooms until I was 39. [on his life as a university student] I have to admit I was a little bit of a misfit.

I was a film directing major at NYU - I'm still not sure why I became a directing major when I was really an actor and a comedian. It was a class of film people and my professor was Marty [ Martin Scorsese ]. Mr. Scorsese, as I called him, which I still do when I see him because he gave me a C. Salary (1) Billy Crystal - Actor, Comedian - Biography.com Billy Crystal Billy Crystal came to fame on the sitcom Soap. After a year on Saturday Night Live, he began a successful film career. IN THESE GROUPS Cast of Saturday Night Live quotes “I love being 'captain of show business' for one night a year, but it is hard to keep doing it better."[On his numerous appearances as host of the Academy Awards.]” Billy Crystal Synopsis Born in New York in 1948, comedian Billy Crystal made his first appearance on The Tonight Show in 1975. As an actor, his first TV role was on the sitcom Soap. His career took off following a year on Saturday Night Live (1984), with hit films When Harry Met Sally (1989) and City Slickers (1991).

Crystal won five Emmy Awards for hosting the Oscars, and received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2007. Early Life Award-winning actor and comic Billy Crystal was born William Edward Crystal on March 14, 1948, in Long Beach, New York. Billy Crystal has spent much of his life making people laugh. He grew up the youngest of three boys. A born entertainer, Crystal liked to sing, dance, and act with his brothers for family in their living room. "I was the little Jerry Lewis," he later told the Washington Post. As a child, Crystal met several famous musicians and performers, including Billie Holiday, through his father, Jack Crystal, who acted as a booking agent for jazz acts. His father also ran the Commodore music store and co-founded the Commodore record label with Crystal's uncle, Milt Gabler. Crystal's father sometimes brought home comedy albums of performers such as Bill Cosby, and the recordings were early influences on the budding comic. His parents also let him stay up to watch such humorous television personalities as Jack Paar and Sid Caesar. At the age of 8, he saw his first Yankees game with his father.

The two shared a passion for the sport, which his father had played during college, and spent many Sundays watching games together. When Crystal was 15, he and his family suffered a terrible loss. His father died of a heart attack while out one night bowling. After his father's death, Crystal played baseball in high school and in college at Marshall University in West Virginia. The university ended their baseball program after his first year, so he decided to return home. There he attended Nassau Community College for a time before enrolling at New York University where he earned a degree in film and television direction. In 1970, he married Janice Goldfinger. Getting Into Comedy After graduation, Crystal worked as a substitute teacher. He also started a comedy group with some friends, but he eventually decided to go it alone as a stand-up comedian. While his wife worked at a local college, Crystal took care of the couple's first child—a daughter named Jennifer, born in 1973. He sometimes brought Jennifer with him to his performances. Looking back, Crystal told Time magazine that "I loved those years of being Mr. Mom.

One of the saddest days in my life was when Jennifer said, 'Dad, I can wash my own hair.'" The couple would welcome their second daughter, Lindsey, in 1977. In 1975, Crystal made his first appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He appeared to be a young comedian on the rise. That same year, Crystal suffered a professional setback when he lost an opportunity to perform on the first episode of the new late-night comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live. He had prepared a six-minute routine for the show, but Lorne Michaels, Saturday Night Live's producer, told him to cut it to two minutes. Unable to meet these demands or work out a compromise, Crystal did not appear on the show. "I remember Gilda [Radner] walking me out to the elevator asking 'What just happened?' And I said, 'I don't know,'" he later explained to the Washington Post. Most of the early Saturday Night Live cast, including John Belushi, Chevy Chase, and Bill Murray, quickly became big comedy stars while Crystal seemed to flounder. Two years later, Crystal took the groundbreaking role of Jodie Dallas on the situation comedy Soap.

He played one of the first openly gay characters on television, which caused quite a stir at the time. Some groups put pressure on Soap's sponsors to withdraw their support from the show because it dealt with homosexuality. Crystal struggled with the decision of whether to accept such a controversial part. "I had a stand-up career that was starting to bloom, and I had a lot of trepidation doing it ... I loved the time, and what we did on the show was important. But I think if I looked back—yeah, I should have waited for something that may have fit me better." Saturday Night Live During a break from Soap, Crystal filmed his first movie. He starred in Rabbit Test (1978), a comedy about a man who becomes pregnant. The film was co-written and directed by stand-up legend Joan Rivers. Despite the impressive names tied to the project, the film proved to be a commercial and critical disappointment. After Soap ended in 1981, Crystal landed his own comedy show. The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour was short-lived, however. Only a few episodes made it to air in early 1982.

He did manage to attract some attention with his small role as a mime in the rock music mock-umentary This Is Spinal Tap (1984), directed by Rob Reiner. That same year, Crystal put aside old grudges and finally joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. Only on the show for one season, Crystal created several memorable characters, such as swanky television host Fernando Lamas. This character's catchphrase, "You look mahvelous," became part of popular culture. Crystal also did some spot-on impressions, wowing audiences with his take on Howard Cosell and Sammy Davis, Jr. For his work on the show, he received his first Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program. Rise to Fame Not long after his stint on Saturday Night Live, Crystal's career began to take off. He launched the popular televised comedy fundraiser, Comedy Relief, with Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams in 1986. The show aired annually for 12 years. In perhaps the biggest role of his career, he starred opposite Meg Ryan in the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... (1989). The two played single friends whose relationship evolves into a romance.

Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron, the film received warm reviews and became a huge box-office hit. Crystal scored again two years later with City Slickers (1991). This time, he played an urban middle-aged man who travels with two friends to the West to participate in a cattle drive. The film followed their fish-out-of-water misadventures, and their encounters with a tough trail boss, played by Jack Palance. Around this time, Crystal also established himself as the ultimate award show host. He hosted the Grammy Awards in 1988 and the Academy Awards in 1990. Since then, Crystal has hosted the Academy Awards eight more times, most recently in 2012. "I love being 'captain of show business' for one night a year, but it is hard to keep doing it better," Crystal once told Time magazine. Over the years, he won five Emmy Awards for his work on the Academy Awards ceremony. Known for his likeable personality and soft-edged humor, Crystal delved into darker territory with Mr. Saturday Night (1992). He played a bitter, aging comic named Buddy Young in the film.

While it was a box office disappointment, the project remains one of Crystal's favorites. He not only starred in the film, but wrote and directed it as well. Reuniting with Palance, Crystal found greater commercial success with City Slickers 2: The Legend of Curly's Gold (1994). He also served as a writer and producer for the project. Later in the 1990s, Crystal went to work with director Woody Allen on the comedy Deconstructing Harry (1997). He scored another big hit with Analyze This (1999), a comedy about a crime boss (Robert De Niro) who seeks help from a therapist played by Crystal. This humorous odd couple reunited for the 2002 sequel, Analyze That. Hollywood Success Around this time, Crystal returned to his love of baseball to direct the television movie 61*. The movie tells the story about the 1961 race between Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle to break Babe Ruth's home run record. "This movie, quite honestly, connected me with my father in the best possible way," Crystal told reporters, reminding him of all the games the two had enjoyed together.

Crystal was a fan of Mantle's, and even befriended the baseball legend in his later years, which added an extra challenge to the film. "I would have to say and do things in the movie that were real and honest. It's one thing for older Mickey, when he was alive, to say, 'Yeah, I drank and I fooled around,' but when you see young, vital, handsome Mickey actually doing it ... But it's very important for the story." His hard work and commitment to candor paid off. Crystal received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Mini-series, Movie or a Special, and the project received a nomination for Outstanding Made for Television Movie. Continuing to work off-camera, Crystal put his talent for creating interesting voices to use in animated films. He handled one of the lead characters in Monsters, Inc. (2001) as well as a small part in Cars (2006). Crystal also branched out in another direction—as a children's author. He wrote I Already Know I Love You (2004) shortly after the birth of his first grandchild. In December 2004, Crystal brought his most personal work to the Broadway stage.

He wrote and performed 700 Sundays, the one-man show that took its title from Crystal's calculations on how much time he got to spend with his father before his death. Filled with family stories and sports references, the show won a Tony Award for special theatrical event in 2005. Recent Work In 2006, Crystal reunited with Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg for a special edition of Comic Relief. The trio brought back the comedy fund-raising event to benefit those affected by Hurricane Katrina. As Crystal told People magazine, "The problems are still out there, and what's cool is we're still there. This is the 'We Still Have Our Own Hips' tour!" The following year, Crystal became the 10th person to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor from the Kennedy Center. He joined a list of other distinguished comedians, including George Carlin, Richard Pryor and Steve Martin, who have also been awarded this honor. Continuing with his film career, Crystal plays a grandfather in the 2012 comedy Parental Guidance, with Bette Midler and Marisa Tomei. He also has several other projects in the works, including the upcoming animated feature Monster University.

Crystal currently lives in California with his wife, Janice. Their two grown daughters have followed in their father's footsteps—Jennifer is an actress and Lindsey is a filmmaker. Crystal executive produced Lindsey's 2003 documentary, Uncle Berns. Related Videos Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us ! Citation Information Billy Crystal News | Photos | Quotes | Wiki - UPI.com Latest Headlines Collections Quotes Wiki 1 of 23 Billy Crystal honored by the American Museum of the Moving Image NYP2003021209 - NEW YORK, Feb. 12 (UPI) Actors Robin Williams and Billy Crystal (right) clown during their Feb. 12, 2003 photo op at the American Museum of the Moving Image salute to Billy Crystal. ep/Ezio Petersen UPI | License Photo Billy Crystal News Next Wiki William Edward "Billy" Crystal (born March 14, 1948) is an American actor, writer, producer, comedian and film director.

He gained prominence in the 1970s for playing Jodie Dallas on the ABC sitcom Soap and became a Hollywood film star during the late 1980s and 1990s, appearing in the critical and box office successes When Harry Met Sally... and City Slickers. He has hosted the Academy Awards eight times. Crystal was born in the Doctor's Hospital in Manhattan and grew up in Long Beach, New York, the son of Helen (née Gabler), a housewife, and Jack Crystal, a record company executive and producer of jazz records, who owned and operated the Commodore Record store. His uncle was musician and songwriter Milt Gabler, and his brother, Richard "Rip" Crystal, is a television producer. Crystal grew up in a Jewish family that he has described as "large" and "loving". Billie Holiday was one of Crystal's babysitters during his childhood. After graduation from Long Beach High School, Crystal attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, on a baseball scholarship, having learned the game from his father, who pitched for St. John's University. Crystal never played a game at Marshall because the program was suspended during his freshman year.

He did not return as a sophomore, staying back in New York with his future wife. He then went on to Nassau Community College, and later attended New York University, where he graduated with a B.F.A. from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts in 1970. He was also the Editor-in-Chief of the BG News from 1969–70. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License . It uses material from the Wikipedia article " Billy Crystal ." Quotes Billy Crystal - Jewish Entertainment - Jew Watch News Jewish Actors, Playwrights, Comedians, Musicians Billy Crystal William Edward"Billy"Crystal (born March 14, 1948). Mr. Crystal is an American actor, writer, producer, comedian, and film director. Crystal gained prominence in the 1970s for playing Jodie Dallas on the ABC sitcom Soap and became a Hollywood film star during the late 1980s and 1990s, appearing in the critical and box office successes When Harry Met Sally... and City Slickers. Billy Crystal has hosted the Academy Awards nine times, including the 84th Academy Awards in 2012.

Early life Crystal was born in the Doctor's Hospital in Manhattan and raised on Long Island in Long Beach, the son of Helen (n�e Gabler), a housewife, and Jack Crystal, a record company executive and jazz producer who also owned and operated the Commodore Record store. Billy Crystal's babysitter was occasionally Billie Holiday. Billy Crystal's uncle was musician and songwriter Milt Gabler, and his brother, Richard "Rip" Crystal, is a television producer. Mr. Billy Crystal grew up in a Jewish family that he has described as "large" and "loving". After graduation from Long Beach High School, Billy Crystal attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia on a baseball scholarship, having learned the game from his father, who pitched for St. John's University. Billy Crystal never played a game at Marshall because the program was suspended during his freshman year, and because he was too busy being the Editor in Chief of The BG News from 1969�70. Billy Crystal did not return to Marshall as a sophomore, staying back in New York with his future wife.

He instead attended Nassau Community College and later New York University, where Billy Crystal graduated in 1970 with a BFA from its Tisch School of the Arts. Career Television Billy Crystal returned to New York City and performed regularly at The Improv and Catch a Rising Star . He studied film and television direction under Martin Scorsese at New York University . In 1976, Crystal appeared on an episode of All in the Family . He was on the dais for The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast of Muhammad Ali on February 19, 1976, where he did impressions of both Ali and sportscaster Howard Cosell . He was scheduled to appear on the first episode of NBC Saturday Night (later renamed Saturday Night Live) (October 11, 1975), but his sketch was cut. [8] He did do a stand-up bit later in that first season as Bill Crystal, on the April 17, 1976, episode; the "Can you dig it? I knew that you could." portion of which was repeatedly quoted by characters in the 1977 feature film Saturday Night Fever .

Crystal's earliest prominent role was as Jodie Dallas on Soap , one of the first unambiguously homosexual characters in the cast of an American television series. He continued in the role during the series' entire 1977�1981 run. In 1982, Billy Crystal hosted his own variety show, The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour on NBC. It lasted five episodes. After hosting Saturday Night Live in 1984, he joined the regular cast. [8] His most famous recurring sketch was his parody of Fernando Lamas , Fernando, a smarmy talk show host whose catchphrase , "You look... mahvelous!," became a media sensation. [8] Crystal subsequently released an album of his stand-up material titled Mahvelous! in 1985, as well as the single "You Look Marvelous", which peaked at No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the same year. Also in the 1980s, Crystal starred in an episode of Shelley Duvall 's Faerie Tale Theatre as the smartest of the three little pigs.

In 1996, Crystal was the guest star of the third episode of Muppets Tonight . Billy Crystal hosted three Grammy Awards Telecasts: the 29th Grammys; the 30th Grammys; and the 31st Grammys. Acting in film and hosting the Oscars Crystal's first film role was in Joan Rivers 's 1978 film Rabbit Test . Crystal also made game show appearances such as The Hollywood Squares , All Star Secrets and The $20,000 Pyramid . He holds the record for getting his contestant partner to the top of the pyramid in winner's circle in the fastest time, 26 seconds. Crystal appeared briefly in Rob Reiner 's 1984 " rockumentary " This Is Spinal Tap as Morty The Mime, a waiter dressed as a mime at one of Spinal Tap's parties. He shared the scene with a then-unknown, non-speaking Dana Carvey . Crystal's line in the film was "Mime is money." He later starred in the action comedy Running Scared (1986). Reiner directed Crystal again in The Princess Bride (1987).

Reiner directed Crystal for a third time in the classic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... (1989), for which Crystal was nominated for a Golden Globe . Crystal then starred in the buddy comedy City Slickers (1991), which proved very successful both commercially and critically and for which Crystal was nominated for his second Golden Globe. Following the success of these films, Crystal wrote, directed, and starred in Mr. Saturday Night (1992) and Forget Paris (1995). In the former, Crystal played a serious role in aging makeup, as an egotistical comedian who reflects back on his career although the character was from his SNL days. He directed the made-for-television movie 61* (2001) based on Roger Maris 's and Mickey Mantle 's race to break Babe Ruth 's single-season home run record in 1961. This earned Crystal an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special.

Crystal has continued working in film, including Analyze This (1999) and Analyze That (2002) with Robert De Niro , and in the English version of Howl's Moving Castle as the voice of Calcifer . He was originally asked to provide the voice of Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story (1995) but turned it down, a decision he later regretted due to the popularity of the series. [8] Crystal later went on to provide the voice of Mike Wazowski in the Pixar film Monsters, Inc. (2001), which was nominated for the inaugural Best Animated Feature Oscar. Crystal hosted the Academy Awards broadcast in 1990�1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004 and 2012; and he reportedly turned down hosting the 2006 ceremony to concentrate on his one-man show, 700 Sundays. He returned as emcee for the 2012 Oscar ceremony, after Eddie Murphy backed out of hosting. [9] His nine times as the M.C.

is second only to Bob Hope 's 18 in most ceremonies hosted. At the 83rd Academy Awards ceremony in 2011, he appeared as a presenter for a digitally inserted Bob Hope and before doing so was given a standing ovation. Film critic Roger Ebert said when Crystal came onstage about two hours into the show, he got the first laughs of the broadcast. [10] Crystal's hosting gigs have regularly included an introductory video segment in which he comedically inserts himself into scenes of that year's films in addition to a song following his opening monologue. Broadway Crystal won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event for 700 Sundays, a two-act, one-man play , which he conceived and wrote about his parents and his childhood growing up on Long Island . [8] He toured the U.S. with the show in 2006 and Australia in 2007. Following the initial success of the play, Crystal wrote the book 700 Sundays for Warner Books , which was published on October 31, 2005.

In conjunction with the book and the play that also paid tribute to his uncle, Milt Gabler , Crystal produced two CD compilations: Billy Crystal Presents: The Milt Gabler Story, which featured his uncle's most influential recordings from Billie Holiday 's " Strange Fruit " to " Rock Around the Clock " by Bill Haley & His Comets ; and Billy Remembers Billie featuring Crystal's favorite Holiday recordings. Philanthropy Billy Crystal Biography, Celebrity Facts and Awards | TVGuide.com TV Listings Fast Facts Father was a jazz producer and owned a record shop; his uncle Milton Gabler began the first independent jazz label, Commodore Records. Singer Billie Holiday was one of his babysitters. Went to Marshall University on a baseball scholarship, but transferred after one year when the baseball program was eliminated after his freshman year. Studied film under Martin Scorsese at NYU. Was to appear as a guest on the first episode of Saturday Night Live in 1975, but backed out after he was told that his segment had to be shortened. Got his break on TV with his role on Soap, Jodie Dallas, the first regular prime-time gay character. Made his feature-film directorial debut with Mr.

Saturday Night (1992). Co-wrote and starred in the autobiographical one-man production 700 Sundays, for which his wife won a 2005 Tony (Special Theatrical Event) as a producer. The title refers to the amount of Sundays Crystal spent with his father, who died suddenly when he was 15. A life-long New York Yankees fan, was signed to a minor-league contract for one day by the club in 2008 so he could officially participate in a spring-training game. He had one at bat and struck out after facing six pitches. He was released the following day on his 60th birthday. Is part owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team.

Awards 2014, Emmy — Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special: Nominee 1992, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: Nominee 2001, Emmy — Outstanding Made for Television Movie: Nominee 2001, Emmy — Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special: Nominee 1988, Emmy — Outstanding Individual Achievement - Special Events: Nominee 1992, Emmy — Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program: Winner 1985, Emmy — Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: Nominee 1987, Emmy — Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: Nominee 1991, Emmy — Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: Winner 1998, Emmy — Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program: Winner 2014, Emmy — Outstanding Variety Special: Nominee 1997, Emmy — Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program: Nominee 1990, Emmy — Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program: Winner 1993,

 Emmy — Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: Nominee 1996, Emmy — Outstanding Performance for a Variety or Music Program: Nominee 1988, Emmy — Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: Nominee 1992, Emmy — Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: Nominee 1990, Emmy — Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: Nominee 2000, Emmy — Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: Nominee 2004, Emmy — Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: Nominee 1991, Emmy — Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program: Winner 1990, Emmy — Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: Nominee 1989, Emmy — Outstanding Performance in Special Events: Winner 2012, Emmy — Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special: Nominee 2012, Emmy — Outstanding Special Class Programs: Nominee 1993, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: Nominee 1990, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actor in

 a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: Nominee Relationships Billy Crystal - Hollywood Star Walk - Los Angeles Times Hollywood Star Walk Lawrence K.

Ho / Los Angeles Times Stars Born March 14, 1948 in New York, NY Billy Crystal is a former stand-up comic and cast member of television's "Saturday Night Live" who achieved greater glory as an actor and emcee, starring in such movies as "When Harry Met Sally..." and hosting the Academy Awards ceremony eight times, a total surpassed only by Bob Hope. Combining quips and one-liners with a genial, almost diffident style, Crystal became popular on TV talk shows and in a variety of comic roles. He has won three Emmy Awards and been nominated 12 times. One of his early successes was as Meathead's best friend on the landmark 1970s sitcom "All in the Family," and he made TV history in 1977 when he was cast as the first gay character on a series, in "Soap." Crystal, born in 1948, has been strongly influenced by his New York City roots, and even wrote a one-man play, "700 Sundays," about time spent with his father while growing up on Long Island. It earned him a Tony Award in 2005.

Crystal is also a Yankees fan and was good enough as a player to be offered a college baseball scholarship. He directed the HBO movie "61*," about the 1961 season when Yankees teammates Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle chased the single-year home-run record. While sometimes irreverent as an awards-show host, Crystal's warm-hearted likability made him a natural for romantic comedies like "When Harry Met Sally...," a 1989 classic in which he played opposite Meg Ryan. As a sheltered psychiatrist, he became a foil for Robert De Niro's troubled mob boss character in 1999's "Analyze This" and its sequel, "Analyze That." He now lives in Pacific Palisades. — David Ferrell in the Los Angeles Times Feb. 11, 2010 More stars in... Share a thought about Billy Crystal Did you ever meet Billy Crystal? Share your memory. Which other stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame have connections to Billy Crystal? Are other places in the world important to Billy Crystal? Does Billy Crystal deserve this star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

If you enter anything in this field your comment will be treated as spam Name Billy Crystal - TV.com Billy Crystal 3/14/1948, Long Beach, Long Island, New York, USA Birth Name EDIT Since he was nine years old, he wanted to be a professional baseball player, and played all throughout high school. He attended Marshall University in West Virginia on a baseball scholarship, but the program was abolished the following year.

He then transferred to Nassau Community College in Long… more Credits S 1: Ep 13 Partners 6/25/15 S 1: Ep 12 Overhear 6/25/15 S 1: Ep 11 Red, White and Working Blue 6/18/15 S 1: Ep 10 Misdirection 6/11/15 S 1: Ep 9 Damage Control 6/4/15 S 84: Ep 84 The 84th Annual Academy Awards 2/26/12 S 76: Ep 1 The 76th Annual Academy Awards 2/29/04 S 72: Ep 1 The 72nd Annual Academy Awards 3/26/00 S 70: Ep 1 The 70th Annual Academy Awards 3/23/98 S 69: Ep 1 The 69th Annual Academy Awards 3/24/97 S 25: Ep 1 25th Anniversary Special 9/26/99 S 10: Ep 18

 Howard Cosell/Greg Kihn 4/13/85 S 10: Ep 17 Christopher Reeve/Santana 4/6/85 S 1: Ep 37 Born Free and Equal 4/1/03 S 1: Ep 36 Yorktown 3/31/03 S 1: Ep 35 James Armistead 1/23/03 S 1: Ep 33 Conflict in the South 1/21/03 S 4: Ep 16 Episode 85 4/20/81 S 4: Ep 15 Episode 84 4/13/81 S 4: Ep 14 Episode 83 3/23/81 S 4: Ep 13 Episode 82 3/16/81 S 4: Ep 12 Episode 81 3/9/81 S 4: Ep 1 Special #7 11/2/79 S 40: Ep 19 Taraji P.

Henson; Mumford & Sons 4/11/15 S 15: Ep 1 15th Anniversary Special 9/24/89 S 9: Ep 15 Billy Crystal/Al Jarreau 3/17/84 S 1: Ep 17 Ron Nessen/Toni Basil, Patti Smith 4/17/76 S 12: Ep 214 Show #2710 5/13/04 S 11: Ep 113 Show #2387 12/5/02 S 10: Ep 22 Show #2088 7/16/01 S 5: Ep 26 Billy Crystal; Barry Manilow 5/6/97 S 15: Ep 99 Show #2906 4/21/08 S 13: Ep 122 Show #2535 4/10/06 S 13: Ep 40 Show #2453 11/4/05 S 12: Ep 1

45 Show #2364 5/12/05 S 12: Ep 97 Show #2316 2/10/05 S 11: Ep 101 Show #1685 9/11/92 S 10: Ep 56 Show #1484 5/24/91 S 8: Ep 124 Show #1209 10/12/89 S 8: Ep 82 Show #1167 7/11/89 S 7: Ep 63 Show #1038 10/5/88 S 28: Ep 99 Show #4144 4/16/90 S 26: Ep 26 Show #3876 12/4/87 S 18: Ep 42 Show #3142 1/14/80 S 15: Ep 23 Show #2823 1/18/77 S 24: Ep 86 Show

 #3786 9/12/86 S 24: Ep 84 Show #3784 9/11/86 S 20: Ep 90 2015/04/15 4/15/15 S 16: Ep 45 Billy Crystal 4/4/11 S 1: Ep 1 2015/03/24 3/24/15 S 2014: Ep 20140919 2014/09/19 9/19/14 S 4: Ep 20 October 5, 1984 10/5/84 S 1: Ep 95 January 22, 1982 1/22/82 S 66: Ep 1 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards 8/25/14 S 63: Ep 165 April 18, 2014 4/18/14 S 56: Ep 2

25 November 9, 2007 11/9/07 S 53: Ep 243 December 6, 2004 12/6/04 S 1: Ep 71 December 2, 2013 12/2/13 S 26: Ep 62 November 26, 2013 11/26/13 S 18: Ep 144 April 11, 2006 4/11/06 S 18: Ep 42 November 1, 2005 11/1/05 S 17: Ep 95 January 31, 2005 1/31/05 S 11: Ep 204 July 5, 1999 7/5/99 S 5: Ep 20131111 Mon, Nov 11, 2013 11/11/13 S 3: Ep 3129 Thu, December 2

0, 2012 12/20/12 S 2: Ep 4 Billy Crystal/Aimee Copeland 9/12/13 S 1: Ep 301 December 24, 2012 12/24/12 S 8: Ep 4506 December 19, 2012 (6) 12/19/12 S 7: Ep 16 Billy Crystal 12/19/12 S 1: Ep 89 Billy Crystal 12/18/12 S 2012: Ep 1 Christmas in Rockefeller Center 2012 11/28/12 S 9: Ep 51 Billy Crystal/Berenice Marlohe 11/14/12 S 4: Ep 187 Episode #4.187 4/11/11 S 4: Ep 80 Episode #4.080 12/7/10 S 2: Ep 43 Episode #2.043 10/2

7/08 S 1: Ep 263 July 11, 2008 7/11/08 S 1: Ep 25 February 21, 2011 2/21/11 S 1: Ep 85 85 1/21/10 S 1: Ep 12 12 9/29/09 S 17: Ep 210 Billy Crystal; Prince 5/28/09 S 14: Ep 177 Billy Crystal; Dame Edna; Augustana 3/28/06 S 4: Ep 3 Episode 403 - With Aaron & Mays 9/30/08 S 1: Ep 1 Episode 101- Amphetamines in Baseball 5/12/05 S 7: Ep 29 Idol Gives Back 2008 4/9/08 S 13: Ep 11 Billy Crystal (II) 10/8/07 S 1: Ep 3 Billy Crystal 5/25/

06 S 3: Ep 84 Billy Crystal 1/12/06 S 2: Ep 48 Episode 223 11/16/05 S 1: Ep 152 Episode 152 5/17/05 S 12: Ep 155 Show #2374 6/6/05 S 12: Ep 72 Show #2292 12/22/04 S 4: Ep 92 Show #0741 2/3/97 S 1: Ep 10 Best Plays 8/24/04 S 1: Ep 3 Best Sports Movies 6/29/04 S 15: Ep 21 Tv & Movie Week (1) 9/30/02 S 1: Ep 10 Postmaster General Franklin 9/13/02 S 1: Ep 3 United We Stand 9/4/02 S 1: Ep 19 Secrets and Lies 5/1/02 S 1: Ep 3 Rob Lowe

 / Billy Crystal 7/4/01 S 5: Ep 156 Show #968 4/25/01 S 3: Ep 97 Show #528 2/9/99 S 2: Ep 137 Show #379 4/9/98 S 1: Ep 152 Show #152 2/17/97 S 3: Ep 5 Billy Crystal 9/21/99 S 4: Ep 2 Billy Crystal, Maurice Greene 9/9/99 S 1: Ep 1 Oscar Day / Oscar Night 2/15/98 S 2: Ep 9 The Best of Muppets Tonight 12/21/97 S 1: Ep 3 Billy Crystal 3/22/96 S 3: Ep 10 Billy Crystal 7/20/97 S 3: Ep 18 Common Sense 6/14/96 S 3: Ep 4 Leapin' Lizards 10/31/95 S 1: Ep 9 L

.A.

Jay 6/22/94 S 3: Ep 1 Billy Crystal, Joanna Lumley 4/22/93 S 1: Ep 9 Talk Show 10/10/92 S 5: Ep 17 September 30, 1992 9/30/92 S 18: Ep 20 September 25, 1992 9/25/92 S 18: Ep 19 September 24, 1992 9/24/92 S 3: Ep 118 February 15, 1978 2/15/78 S 1992: Ep 1 1992 MTV Movie Awards 7/10/92 S 1: Ep 6 Billy Crystal 10/13/88 S 1: Ep 41 Billy Crystal (2) 8/29/88 S 1: Ep 39 Billy Crystal (1) 8/25/88 S 60: Ep 1 The 60th Annual Academy

 Awards 4/11/88 S 1: Ep 11 September 28, 1987 9/28/87 S 6: Ep 189 July 24, 1986 7/24/86 S 4: Ep 1 The Three Little Pigs 2/12/85 S 2: Ep 6 25KPYR-79 1/10/83 S 2: Ep 80 January 20, 1982 1/20/82 S 1: Ep 8 Make Up 12/18/81 S 2: Ep 20 Billy Crystal / Randy Meisner 2/27/81 S 9: Ep 10 Host: Billy Crystal 11/14/80 S 18: Ep 144 Week of April 28, 1980 4/28/80 S 17: Ep 75 January 16, 1979 1/16/79 S 6: Ep

 99 February 13, 1980 2/13/80 S 6: Ep 98 February 12, 1980 2/12/80 S 5: Ep 207 August 22, 1979 8/22/79 S 5: Ep 148 April 30, 1979 4/30/79 S 5: Ep 45 November 17, 1978 11/17/78 S 17: Ep 73 December 12, 1979 12/12/79 S 16: Ep 151 April 24, 1979 4/24/79 S 15: Ep 114 February 22, 1978 2/22/78 S 15: Ep 56 November 21, 1977 11/21/77 S 14: Ep 84 January 14, 1

977 1/14/77 S 18: Ep 55 Week of November 19, 1979 11/19/79 S 17: Ep 173 Week of July 2, 1979 7/2/79 S 17: Ep 39 Week of November 13, 1978 11/13/78 S 17: Ep 11 October 4, 1978 10/4/78 S 16: Ep 190 July 5, 1978 7/5/78 S 14: Ep 10 October 8-12, 1979 (NBC-TV) 10/8/79 S 12: Ep 72 May 22-26, 1978 (NBC-TV) 5/22/78 S 12: Ep 8 October 3-7, 1977 (NBC-TV) 10/3/77 S 3: Ep 2

 Special #6 5/7/79 S 3: Ep 1 Special #5 11/18/78 S 2: Ep 1 Special #3 11/4/77 S 7: Ep 35 Billy Crystal & Sal Viscuso 4/30/79 S 6: Ep 13 Lynn Redgrave & Billy Crystal 11/28/77 S 17: Ep 127 April 13, 1979 4/13/79 S 17: Ep 126 April 12, 1979 4/12/79 S 17: Ep 124 April 10, 1979 4/10/79 S 17: Ep 123 Week of April 9, 1979 4/9/79 S 16: Ep 205 August 2, 1978 8/2/78 S 1: Ep 3 October 4, 1978 10/4/78 S

 5: Ep 20 Host: Loretta Lynn 2/25/77 S 4: Ep 4 Gabe Kaplan 2/21/77 S 3: Ep 3 Muhammad Ali 2/19/76 S 4: Ep 33 Host: Natalie Cole 6/25/76 S 6: Ep 16 New Year's Wedding 1/5/76 S 32: Ep 226 July 9, 2007 7/9/07 S 1: Ep 41 I Am Democracy 6/5/78 S 76: Ep 1 The 76th Annual Academy Awards 2/29/04 S 70: Ep 1 The 70th Annual Academy Awards 3/23/98 S 69: Ep 1 The 69th Annual Academy Awards 3/24/97 S 64: Ep 1 The 64th Annual Academy Awards 3/30/92 S 63: Ep 1 The 63rd Annual Academy Awards 3/25

/91 S 1: Ep 12 Overhear 6/25/15 S 1: Ep 11 Red, White and Working Blue 6/18/15 S 1: Ep 10 Misdirection 6/11/15 S 1: Ep 9 Damage Control 6/4/15 S 1: Ep 8 Charity 5/28/15 S 1: Ep 12 Overhear 6/25/15 S 1: Ep 11 Red, White and Working Blue 6/18/15 S 1: Ep 10 Misdirection 6/11/15 S 1: Ep 9 Damage Control 6/4/15 S 1: Ep 8 Charity 5/28/15 Become a contributor Important: You must only upload images which you have created yourself or that you are expressly authorised or licensed to upload.

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Question: Billy Crystal had a full college scholarship in which sport?
Answer: Baseball